Cocktails to Make Every Month in 2023

Grapefruit Margarita Tout
Photo:

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn

If your New Year's resolution is to get more creative in the kitchen, you might want to start with what you're sipping. We've put together 12 of our favorite cocktail recipes to try each month in 2023. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and flavors, you'll be sure to find one fit for any time of the year.

You can never go wrong with classic cocktail recipes but every once in a while, you need some inspiration to spice things up. These recipes offer easy twists on favorites like springtime mint juleps and boozy, winter cocktails that warm your soul. If you are ever feeling stuck on what cocktail to serve at your next soirée, this seasonal list is sure to help. There is just about something for everyone from champagne drinkers to bourbon enthusiasts.

 When looking at this list, it's easy to imagine all the joy that is to come in 2023, from sticky summer days to cool winter nights, and now, you have a drink to serve for every occasion. 

01 of 12

January: Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz

Aperol and Blood Orange-Mint Spritz
Peter Frank Edwards

In the summer of 2022, Aperol Spritzes became incredibly popular, but this cocktail is also a great option to ring in the new year. If you or a friend at yours is participating in dry January, this Pineapple-Basil Tea is a great non-alcoholic option.

02 of 12

February: Queen Bee Cocktail

Bee's Knees Honey Cocktail
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Tell your Valentine that they're the bee's knees with this delightful, classic cocktail. The only required element in a Queen Bee is a honey, but we have a few other guidelines for you to follow, if you wish.

03 of 12

March: Garden Pleasures Cocktail

Garden Pleasures Cocktail by Tiffanie Barriere
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn

Southerners are no strangers to garden parties, and this cocktail embodies the tradition. Made with a combination of honey water, basil leaves, green tea, clear spirits and a touch of lemon juice and topped with champagne and club soda, this drink was made to be sipped outdoors.

04 of 12

April: Grapefruit Margarita

Grapefruit Margarita by Tiffanie Barriere
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn

No cocktail list is really complete without one great margarita recipe. With a garnish of fresh rosemary and a splash of grapefruit juice, our updated twist is the perfect sipper for showers, whether they be bridal or weather related.

05 of 12

May: The SL Mint Julep

The Blush Lily
Photo: Hector Sanchez

We love this drink so much, we decided to put our own name on it. We know that Derby Day is one of the biggest days on a Southerner's social calendar, so a Mint Julep had to make it on our list.

06 of 12

June: Bushwacker

Bushwacker
Monica Farber

There is nothing quite like this boozy milkshake, a celebrated summer tradition across our region. Made with dark rum, coffee liqueur, and vanilla ice cream, this drink is a grown-up dessert that will help cool you down in the summer.

07 of 12

July: Texas Ranch Water

Texas Ranch Water
Photographer: Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Props Stylist: Christina Brockman

Texans know a thing or two about quenching thirst during the sticky summer months. This simple drink is perfect for hot days where all you want to do is sit and sip.

08 of 12

August: Vodka Cherry Limeade

vodka cherry limeade in pitchers and glasses
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist:Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer

If you want a cocktail to serve at your summer pool parties and other warm-weather gatherings, look no further than this crowd-friendly drink. This drink is tart and sweet, much like the Dirty Shirley which made waves in 2022.

09 of 12

September: Maple Bourbon Smash

Maple Bourbon Smash
Becky Luigart Stayner

Equally suited for sipping on your porch or enjoying during game day, this Maple Bourbon Smash is a total touchdown. This drink tastes like fall in a cup, thanks to the flavors of fresh sage leaves and maple syrup.

10 of 12

October: Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch

Bourbon Apple Cider Thyme Punch
Caitlin Bensel

In this surprisingly simple recipe, stir the seasonal ingredients together and then serve it all over ice. The festive flavors are sure to dazzle at your next tailgate or halloween party.

11 of 12

November: Cranberry Sangría Punch

Cranberry Sangría Punch
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith

This picture-perfect holiday cocktail is almost too pretty to drink. If you're planning on having a Thanksgiving get-together this month, you will want to add this punch to the menu. You can even make it a day before guests arrive.

12 of 12

December: Peppermint Martini

peppermints martini
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Is there anything more jolly than a good drink? We don't think so. Spread holiday cheer throughout December with this peppermint martini. We like to think of it as the festive cousin of the beloved espresso martini.

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